BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER)-- West Market Square is currently undergoing a major renovation.

Some of the utility and sewer line beneath the square date back to the civil war.While those are getting replaced, the surrounding businesses say they are struggling.

After a rough winter shopping season, the West Market Square businesses really needed the summer to improve sales. But the construction outside has closed off side walks and streets and made parking difficult. Business owners say people are driving right past them because they can't see the them behind the construction. Some outdoor patio areas have also been taken away.

"For this business the winter time is the slow month. so it's kind of like living a winter all the way through the summer. When things go wrong and things need to be fixed, that extra income isn't here right now," says Bar Manager of Ipanema Bar and Grill, Karyn Young.

The city of Bangor has stayed involved with the business owners- holding regular meetings and doing everything they can to make the process easier. City offcials say they will put up signs to let consumers know the businesses are still open. But businesses owners say they would rather have had those signs up from the beginning.

The Square renovation is expected to to wrap up sometime in September.